As with any herd that expanded using stock from a number of sources I have a reasonably strong vaccination programme. This time of year I do one of the six monthly IBR shots.

To ease stress on the animals and myself, I time it to coincide with the herd test, with the calves getting their booster along with a worm dose three weeks later.

Coinciding with the herd TB test is the blood test for everything over two years of age for Johnnes. I had four positives two and a half years ago which have been culled.

The disease is primarily transferred to young calves via dung. I put precautions in place for the calves by feeding milk replacer and ensuring segregation from the adult stock.

It is a long-term battle to control but following two clear tests I was starting to relax. Two positives showed up again this year. It wasn’t totally unexpected but still a disappointment.

One cow is a spring calver I was planning to cull anyway due to high cell counts.

She will now leave prior to the autumn calving period. The second lady is a cow I had planned on holding in the herd for a few years more, and is already in-calf for this autumn.

The plan now will be to keep her outside and away from the others once dried off. If she has a heifer, the calf will be removed as quickly as possible after birth to limit the chances of picking up the disease. No decision has been taken yet regarding the cow herself, but it is unlikely I will milk her again.

BSE case in Co Louth

It is tough, but nowhere near the disappointment at the suspect BSE case in Louth. Full proof if needed that we can never let down our guard, even with negligible risk. The last four cases, stretching back to 2012, were all found in knackeries. This is always the most likely place to find any disease as general health would also have been affected.

In 2009 the one and only BVD PI I found was a heifer that had always been behind her comrades in development. That is why I always test my whole herd, including those destined for culling, for Johnnes. The most likely case is probably also suffering from something else. It is better to find them than not to know.